Hello Fam!

Thanks so much for the motivational post! I enjoy reading your posts, however, I postpone (pardon the pun) responding to them until I have some quality time to spend---usually with my am coffee.

Yup, I like oatmeal, thank goodness. Breakfast is my favorite time to eat but has my least favorite foods so it's often oatmeal. I don't know about the calcium connection in molasses--will check--yup, 4% daily value based on a 2000 calorie diet...another perk, ;) .

... I try to keep creating lower cal/fat/sugar versions of my favorite foods but then there are some dishes that just have to remain intact. Just have less of them less often.

I agree, with Jane Brody to an extent. Some foods (Pepperidge Farm Cookies, for instance) I simply can't keep in the house. And yes, I know, some dishes just aren't the same dishes with substitutions...but that's a good idea to have them less frequently. I'm trying to cut down the serving size when I make my favorite dishes so I make a 2 serving size instead of a 6 serving size. Ideally, I would freeze the extra portions but I tend to be a binge eater and frozen portions would not stop me from eating the same thing at breakfast, lunch, and supper.

Need to do more on protein education. Have long wanted to be a vegetarian but lack the nutrional knowledge to do so safely. Have a book about becoming a vegetarian gradually but haven't read it yet, :rolleyes: .

Yes, I'd be careful about the salt reduction given the diuretic. I'm still trying to understand my hypersensitivity to medication but from what I've read, that brain fog may have been a result of electrolyte imbalance. I suspect it continued when I was on medications other than diuretics because I was so sleep deprived that my diet was horrendous--again, many bread and butter sandwiches washed down with milk. My experience with salt is that I see a reaction within a few hours of eating it. Sometimes it doesn't affect me, but sometimes I can see the swelling in my eyelids, wrists, and ankles right away. So I'm thinking that if it didn't affect you in the past it may not be as much of an issue--but that's not to say that it won't change.

Yes, after reading your post, I looked up pool times (they always change because of summer hours) so I can start doing laps again. It is wonderful therapy. Have you thought about looking for a physical therapist who can help you with water exercizes in the pool? Water can be very beneficial, as you probably already know, because you don't have to stress the joints. Heated pools also can be beneficial.

... Once you really get into exercise the feel good hormones kick in & you are sold. It is so relaxing. Fam

Yes, yes, yes but I needed to be reminded of that!! I need to start now because I KNOW that one reason my bp is in check is because I'm more active now that I'm off of medication...and when the weather becomes cooler, my activity will decrease so I've got to start exercising now!!!

I'm down to 208 from 220+ pounds. I weighed less than 200 pounds before bp meds so it's dropping slowly. I"m not conciously watching my weight but must do so as I am going to be 10 pounds lighter for my check up at the end of the month. I'm hoping that will be enough weight loss to move me from pre-hypertensive into normal...but I think of Flowergirl when she said more or less "my normal has changed"...so who knows?

Good hearing from you, as always. I'll keep you posted on the swimming.

Bsheba

PS I never "saved" anyone as a lifeguard...thank goodness, I didn't have to. Am very greatful to that lifeguard for saving you as you are saving others, but in a different way. Did teach toddlers swimming lessons, thought. That was fun!